Centered around stories of heroic earthly fatherhood, The Father draws readers into God’s love for his children.
In 2021, Ascension released Fr. Mark-Mary Ames’ debut book, Habits for Holiness: Small Steps for Making Big Spiritual Progress, which went on to become a beloved resource for many Catholics and win two Catholic publishing awards. Three years later, Fr. Mark-Mary is releasing a new title with the leader in Catholic Faith formation: The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You into the Heart of God.
The Father points readers back to the reality that they have been chosen by God and are desired as part of his family. “My hope is that this book may be a source of grace and encouragement on your journey to knowing the Father’s heart” comments Fr. Mark-Mary, “that you can pray not only ‘Our Father’ but ‘my Father’ as well.”
In addition to his publishing work with Ascension, Fr. Mark-Mary is well-known as a video presenter on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel, for his podcast Poco a Poco in which he discusses the spiritual life with his fellow Franciscan Friars of the Renewal (CFRs), and for traveling around the country to speak on spiritual themes.
The Father helps readers understand and receive the gift of God’s fatherhood regardless of their own experiences with earthly fathers, who may or may not have been persons of loving care. Including stories of everyday people who embody God’s fatherhood like St. Joseph did for Jesus, The Father gives readers a place to experience healing and truth through reflections, prayers, relevant Scripture quotes, and space to write down responses to what they have read.
The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You into the Heart of God is the perfect addition to In Saint Joseph’s Footsteps, another Ascension title that helps readers build a relationship with the best earthly father, St. Joseph.
The Father: 30 Meditations to Draw You into the Heart of God is available in paperback and eBook at www.AscensionPress.com.
Praise for The Father
“The Father by Fr. Mark-Mary has been a helpful resource for me during my time of prayer. Through the stories, biblical passages and meditations provided in this work, I have perceived the Father’s delight in me as his beloved son. I highly recommend this book!”
–Fr. Josh Johnson
“Christians often talk about having ‘a personal relationship with Jesus’ or being ‘guided by the Holy Spirit.’ But what about God the Father? Do we find our identity in the Father’s love and live from that love day-by-day? Thankfully, Fr. Mark-Mary’s The Father helps us do just that.
These thirty powerful reflections lead us to encounter the many aspects of the Father’s love: the Father’s authority and patient forgiveness; the Father’s delight in us no matter where we are spiritually and his loving discipline that calls us to deeper conversion; the Father’s strength that can overcome all obstacles and his gentle, trustworthy hands which invite us to surrender ever more of our hearts to him.
Through Scripture, the saints and compelling stories of true fatherhood, this book beautifully brings us deeper into the heart of the Father’s love.”
–Edward Sri
“Powerful, engaging, and vitally important. Fr. Mark-Mary speaks straight into our hearts with words that help to trust in the goodness and love of God the Father. In a world where so many of us have wounded relationships with earthly fathers and complicated ideas of what it might mean to have a Father in heaven, this book draws us toward the life-giving truth about our dignity and worth in the eyes of a loving God.”
–Danielle Bean
About Ascension
Ascension is a multimedia network and the leader in Catholic faith formation and digital content. Over the past 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of more than 10 million Catholics through award-winning books, the chart-topping Bible in a Year and Catechism in a Year podcasts, more than 50 unique faith formation programs, and Ascension Presents, which hosts the largest Catholic YouTube channel in English.
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